Inside the gigantic beer pavilion at the Munich Oktoberfest, where people gather round large tables and gorge themselves with roast ox, sauerkraut, beer and potato salad. The lions on the decorations are the insignia of the Lowenbrau brewery, founded in 1374, and also of the city itself, famous for its associations with beer. less

Inside the gigantic beer pavilion at the Munich Oktoberfest, where people gather round large tables and gorge themselves with roast ox, sauerkraut, beer and potato salad. The lions on the decorations are the ... more

Soccer player Daniel van Buyten, dressed in traditional Bavarian clothes, eats pork in a beer tent at the Oktoberfest during the Bayern Munich football team's annual visit to the famous beer festival, on October 4, 2009 in Munich. less

Soccer player Daniel van Buyten, dressed in traditional Bavarian clothes, eats pork in a beer tent at the Oktoberfest during the Bayern Munich football team's annual visit to the famous beer festival, on ... more

A general view during Oktoberfest on Sept. 20, 2009 in Munich, Germany.

A general view during Oktoberfest on Sept. 20, 2009 in Munich, Germany.

Photo: Johannes Simon, Getty Images

A general view during Oktoberfest on Sept. 20, 2009 in Munich,... Photo-5203692.70409 - SFGate

Image 54 of 91

A general view during Oktoberfest on Sept. 20, 2009 in Munich, Germany.

A general view during Oktoberfest on Sept. 20, 2009 in Munich, Germany.

Photo: Johannes Simon, Getty Images

A general view during Oktoberfest on Sept. 20, 2009 in Munich,... Photo-5203693.70409 - SFGate

Image 55 of 91

A reveler holds onto his pants after downing his one liter mug of beer in an area known as "the pit" at the Hofbraeuhaus tent on the opening day of the 2004 Oktoberfest Sept. 18, 2004 in Munich, Germany.

A reveler holds onto his pants after downing his one liter mug of beer in an area known as "the pit" at the Hofbraeuhaus tent on the opening day of the 2004 Oktoberfest Sept. 18, 2004 in Munich, Germany.

Photo: Sean Gallup, Getty Images

A reveler holds onto his pants after downing his one liter mug of... Photo-5203694.70409 - SFGate

Image 56 of 91

A waitress carries liter full mugs of beer to revelers at the annual Oktoberfest celebration Sept. 21, 2003 in Munich, Germany.

A waitress carries liter full mugs of beer to revelers at the annual Oktoberfest celebration Sept. 21, 2003 in Munich, Germany.

Photo: Sean Gallup, Getty Images

A waitress carries liter full mugs of beer to revelers at the... Photo-5203695.70409 - SFGate

Image 57 of 91

A young reveler wearing a hat in the shape of a beer keg drinks beer from a one liter mug Sept. 18, 2004 at the Hofbraeuhaus tent on the opening day of the 2004 Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.

A young reveler wearing a hat in the shape of a beer keg drinks beer from a one liter mug Sept. 18, 2004 at the Hofbraeuhaus tent on the opening day of the 2004 Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.

Photo: Sean Gallup, Getty Images

A young reveler wearing a hat in the shape of a beer keg drinks... Photo-5203696.70409 - SFGate

Image 58 of 91

Revelers celebrate with one liter mugs of beer Sept. 18, 2004 at the Hofbraeuhaus tent on the opening day of the 2004 Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.

Revelers celebrate with one liter mugs of beer Sept. 18, 2004 at the Hofbraeuhaus tent on the opening day of the 2004 Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.

Members of a Bavarian riflemen's association fire a shoot during the traditional 'Boellerschiessen' (firing of a salute with a special gun) on the last day of Oktoberfest beer festival on October 7, 2012 in Munich, Germany. The 'Boellerschiessen' officially signifies the closing of this year's edition of the world's biggest beer festival. less

Members of a Bavarian riflemen's association fire a shoot during the traditional 'Boellerschiessen' (firing of a salute with a special gun) on the last day of Oktoberfest beer festival on October 7, 2012 in ... more

Photo: Johannes Simon, Getty Images

Members of a Bavarian riflemen's association fire a shoot... Photo-5203718.70409 - SFGate

Image 79 of 91

Young women in dirndl dresses pose with beer mugs at the Oktoberfest beer festival on Sept. 19, 2009.

Young women in dirndl dresses pose with beer mugs at the Oktoberfest beer festival on Sept. 19, 2009.